Published 19 June 2016
FPD has formulated guidelines which ensure that we properly manage and engage with all our Community Based Counselling and Testing (CBCT) teams regularly. Here is an outline of the guidelines;
As managers of mobile teams, we have to be focused thinker so that I can be able to assist the teams with the project time management, to introduce and inform them about company standard operating procedures. We also have to teach them how to identify problems that might hinder the daily operations.
Bottom-line thinking (Maxwell, 2005) is also a critical requirement in working with remote teams. This is where we set targets for each financial year for the teams to adhere to. This is also includes budget planning, creating reporting structures and drawing a site visit plan.
Realistic thinking (Maxwell, 2005) helps the teams to set achievable monthly goals, and standard and monthly meetings. During this stage the teams have to provide us with detailed progress reports. These progress reports help us to evaluate the staff, services, procedures, attitudes and feedback on successes and failures.
Big-picture/creative thinking (Maxwell, 2005) –This is where all the teams are encouraged to do annual planning of events and leave allocations. This phase also encourages personal development of all employees. Internal competition between teams is allowed to improve group cohesion and service delivery.
Strategic / shared thinking (Maxwell, 2005) – Here the mobile teams are invited to head office events to create a sense of cohesion. We have also created communication methods such as short text messaging, emails, direct telephonic contact. Furthermore we request input on planned changes from the employees and this calls for innovative ideas.
Finally we apply unselfish thinking (Maxwell, 2005) – We listening to complaints, acknowledge personal achievements, encourage personal development and we allocate sufficient time to visit isolated offices.
With these guidelines in place we are guaranteed to have happy teams providing quality services to clients.
References
Maxwell, J. C. (2005). Thinking for a change. Center Street.
